POLICE are appealing for witnesses after two handbag thefts in the Stockton area.

At about 6.30pm, on Monday, a woman had her bag snatched from her shoulder in the car park of Safeway, in Norton.

The thief, who is described as 18 to19, was wearing a dark hat. He escaped in a car driven by another male.

At 8.20pm the same evening, a similar incident occurred in the car park of Safeway, in Whitehouse Farm, Stockton.

A woman putting shopping into her car was approached by a man who grabbed her handbag. She tried to get it back, but was threatened with a crow bar.

The thief left in a red Ford Fiesta. The car, which had been stolen from the Savacentre car park, in Stockton, was later found in Edmondbyers Road, Stockton.

Witnesses are asked to ring police on (01642) 302236.